Class Psychology of Sport and Physical Activities

The Curricular Unit Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity aims to provide students with psychological knowledge applied in the areas of Sport, Physical Education and Exercise and Well-Being. The curricular unit addresses, based on the most current scientific evidence, the various fields of psychology applied to sport and physical activity, namely: The individual psychological, cognitive, emotional, social and contextual factors involved in the practice of physical activities; the psychological benefits and harms of the practice of physical activities, and, finally, the psychological intervention strategies applied to the different contexts of future work of FEFD students.  

Not applicable

1.Introduction to Psychology of Sport and PA   2. Individual psychological factors involved in practice  • Personality • Motivation (motivational orientations, types of motivation and their determinants) • Cognitive factors (perception, attention / concentration, memory) • Emotional factors (mood and emotions, anxiety, stress and activation, flow)   3. Social or contextual factors involved in practice  • Communication and interpersonal relationships in specific contexts • Group dynamics and cohesion •leadership   4. Psychological Consequences of Practice    • Well-being and quality of life; Cognition & academic performance; Self-esteem • Burn-out and dependence   5. Intervention strategies  • behavioral modification models • Motivational Intervention: communication, climate and role of coach • Psychological Skills & Self-regulatory strategies      

Theoretical and theoretical-practical classes will be taught where experiential learning will be applied, with problem solving, role-play and group work. The b-learning system will be used, based on the moodle platform, where support materials will be available for each of the classes (slides and support texts), as well as a discussion forum. Students will be encouraged to think critically and reflectively, developing and evaluating practical assignments for colleagues based on the themes of group work and available resources. The use of case studies and development of motivational intervention plans will help students to simulate situations of practical intervention and content application. The use of illustrative videos, with an illustration and analysis component, will help cement knowledge.

Anshel, M. H., Petrie, T. A., & Steinfeldt, J. A. (Eds.). (2019). APA handbook of sport and exercise psychology, Vol. 1 &2. Sport psychology. American Psychological Association.  Bidle, S. J. H., Mutrie, N. & Gorely, T. (2015). Psychology of physical activity: determinants, well-being and interventions (3rd Ed). Routledge: New York Gill, D. L., Williams, L. & Reifsteck, E. J. (2017). Psychological dynamics of sport and exercise (4th Ed). Champaign: Human Kinetics Serpa, S. (2017). Mente, desporto e performance: o fator psi. Lisboa: Ed. Visão e Contextos Schinke, R.J.,  McGannon, K.R. & Smith, B. (Eds.) (2016). Routledge International Handbook of Sport Psychology. London: Routledge Weinberg, R. & Gould, D. (2015). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology (6thed). Champaign:Human Kinetics.